Balance for Better: International Women’s Day 2019
Although the te
mperature may have been a little on the chilly side, the company, the food and the keynote were not. With a full house, many CEN employees joined over 100 other women and men in celebration of International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, 2019.
Keynote Deputy Mayor Susan Fowlow spoke of the need for better gender balance in income, equality, leadership and education. While celebrating women she also, humorously, touched on the differences between men and women. Looking beyond the physical aspects, she alluded that men and women were socialized different, thereby each gender sees the world differently. “Gender balance suggests there are two different lenses and to reach equity we need to the see the world through both.”
With raw emotion, Ms. Fowlow shared her own story as an advocate for change, being a leader in a male-dominant world, and her recent fight for justice. “Standing up for something you believe in should never be something to be afraid of.” Happy and content with her present life, she looks back at all she has achieved and promises to continue standing for equality and balance. “I’m happy with the life I have. I have managed to make the ordinary extraordinary.”
Following Ms. Fowlow’s keynote, College of the North Atlantic Community Studies student, Mary Burt was awarded the Stephanie Cormier Chaisson Memorial Leadership award. Presented bi-annually, Ms. Burt is the second award winner for this year joining fellow Community Studies student, Lenny Tiller.
